The University of Pittsburgh has an active Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In January 2024, members of the campus SJP protested an event at Hillel featuring an IDF soldier.

In April 2024, a student wrote "Free Palestine and f*** all Jews" in chalk on campus grounds. That same day, at an anti-Israel encampment on campus, protesters displayed messages that included: "Resistance is justified when people are occupied" and "Globalize the Intifada."

In August 2024, two Jewish students wearing yarmulkes were attacked by a man wielding a glass bottle. The perpetrator of this incident was not affiliated with the University, and the University's campus security acted quickly, arresting the individual. The University also promptly released a statement condemning the attack. In September 2024, a Jewish student was attacked in an area off-campus by a group of six to eight men who shouted antisemitic slurs, including “Free Palestine” and “F*** Jews.”

That same month, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages that included: “Zionism kills.”

In June 2025, a mezuzah was ripped from the doorframe of a Jewish University of Pittsburgh student.

In August 2025, U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman sent a letter addressed to University of Pittsburgh’s President Gabel urging the protection of Jewish students amidst a rise in antisemitic incidents on Pennsylvania college campuses.

In September 2025, a federal judge ordered the University of Pittsburgh to reinstate its SJP chapter after it was suspended earlier in the year.

University Policies and Responsive Action

As a result of the 2024 attacks on Jewish students, the University provided resources to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department to ensure security officers were available as escorts to Jewish members of the campus community as they attended religious services during the High Holidays.

The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Pitt promotes multiple definitions of antisemitism, including the IHRA definition, as part of its efforts to address discriminatory behavior.

In December 2024, in response to antisemitic incidents on campus, the Chancellor and the provost authorized a working group to address antisemitism, designed to engage proactively with the University and the broader Pittsburgh community to analyze and address antisemitism and its impact on the campus climate. The working group has been actively engaged since then and is due to provide updates in 2026. In addition, senior leadership, from the Chancellor’s Office to the Division of Student Affairs, meet regularly with student leaders of Jewish student organizations and community partners to provide support and address concerns around antisemitism and to work on proactive programming across the institution.

In March 2025, the University hosted the traveling exhibition on ‘Lessons from The Tree of Life,' which showcases items from the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life building. The University also partnered with JCC Maccabi Games to host the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games on the University campus in August 2025.

The Jewish Studies Program offers courses related to antisemitism, including a newly updated one-credit course called Antisemitism: Then and Now. Trainings and non-curricular courses are provided for staff and faculty through the Office on Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing.

To foster civil discourse on campus, the University also has a “Discourse and Dialogue” program. Furthermore, in Fall 2025, Pitt conducted a Civic Wellbeing Index Student Survey that was developed by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars to assess how effectively schools foster civic discourse and dialogue among students.

Pitt has also established a Jewish Alumni Affinity Group. The University administration has also been recognized for their work to support the Jewish community, with the Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Kevin Washo being awarded the Righteous Among Us Award, recognizing principled leadership and longstanding commitment to standing with marginalized communities, including the Jewish community. Additionally, Chancellor Gabel was selected as the 2026 Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center Annual Big Night Honoree.

The University of Pittsburgh has an active Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life organizations.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In January 2024, members of the campus SJP protested an event at Hillel featuring an IDF soldier.

In April 2024, a student wrote "Free Palestine and f*** all Jews" in chalk on campus grounds. That same day, at an anti-Israel encampment on campus, protesters displayed messages that included: "Resistance is justified when people are occupied" and "Globalize the Intifada."

In August 2024, two Jewish students wearing yarmulkes were attacked by a man wielding a glass bottle. The perpetrator of this incident was not affiliated with the University, and the University's campus security acted quickly, arresting the individual. The University also promptly released a statement condemning the attack. In September 2024, a Jewish student was attacked in an area off-campus by a group of six to eight men who shouted antisemitic slurs, including “Free Palestine” and “F*** Jews.”

That same month, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters held signs with messages that included: “Zionism kills.”

In June 2025, a mezuzah was ripped from the doorframe of a Jewish University of Pittsburgh student.

In August 2025, U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman sent a letter addressed to University of Pittsburgh’s President Gabel urging the protection of Jewish students amidst a rise in antisemitic incidents on Pennsylvania college campuses.

In September 2025, a federal judge ordered the University of Pittsburgh to reinstate its SJP chapter after it was suspended earlier in the year.

University Policies and Responsive Action

As a result of the 2024 attacks on Jewish students, the University provided resources to the University of Pittsburgh Police Department to ensure security officers were available as escorts to Jewish members of the campus community as they attended religious services during the High Holidays.

The Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Pitt promotes multiple definitions of antisemitism, including the IHRA definition, as part of its efforts to address discriminatory behavior.

In December 2024, in response to antisemitic incidents on campus, the Chancellor and the provost authorized a working group to address antisemitism, designed to engage proactively with the University and the broader Pittsburgh community to analyze and address antisemitism and its impact on the campus climate. The working group has been actively engaged since then and is due to provide updates in 2026. In addition, senior leadership, from the Chancellor’s Office to the Division of Student Affairs, meet regularly with student leaders of Jewish student organizations and community partners to provide support and address concerns around antisemitism and to work on proactive programming across the institution.

In March 2025, the University hosted the traveling exhibition on ‘Lessons from The Tree of Life,' which showcases items from the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life building. The University also partnered with JCC Maccabi Games to host the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games on the University campus in August 2025.

The Jewish Studies Program offers courses related to antisemitism, including a newly updated one-credit course called Antisemitism: Then and Now. Trainings and non-curricular courses are provided for staff and faculty through the Office on Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing.

To foster civil discourse on campus, the University also has a “Discourse and Dialogue” program. Furthermore, in Fall 2025, Pitt conducted a Civic Wellbeing Index Student Survey that was developed by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars to assess how effectively schools foster civic discourse and dialogue among students.

Pitt has also established a Jewish Alumni Affinity Group. The University administration has also been recognized for their work to support the Jewish community, with the Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Kevin Washo being awarded the Righteous Among Us Award, recognizing principled leadership and longstanding commitment to standing with marginalized communities, including the Jewish community. Additionally, Chancellor Gabel was selected as the 2026 Pittsburgh Jewish Community Center Annual Big Night Honoree.